Cooper Tire agrees British Formula 3 extension

Cooper Tire will continue as the official control tyre supplier and title sponsor of the prestigious British F3 International Series until at least the end of the 2014 season.

The Cooper Tire British F3 International Series is widely acknowledged as one of the toughest domestic single-seater championships in the world and is a recognised route to the pinnacle of the sport for aspiring Formula 1 drivers.

Cooper took over the supply and sponsorship of British F3 in 2009 from its Avon Tyres brand, which had previously been sole supplier to the series for 27 years.

British F3 has long been seen as a ‘stepping stone’ to F1 and has, over the years, produced countless Grand Prix racers, including 2009 FIA F1 World Champion Jenson Button, and current F1 drivers Mark Webber, Rubens Barrichello, 2008 British F3 champion Jaime Algersuari, and newly signed Sauber driver and 2007 National Class champion Sergio Perez.

Since Cooper took its lead role in the series, 2009 champion Daniel Ricciardo has gone on to become a Red Bull Racing test driver, while 2010 champion Jean-Eric Vergne has already completed his first F1 test, alongside fellow British F3 luminaries, Sam Bird and Oliver Turvey.

Julian Baldwin, managing director of Cooper Tire Europe, said, “Cooper’s role in British F3 is something that everyone who works at our Melksham base is very proud of, and rightly so. F3 is often referred to as the ‘university of motorsport’ for both drivers and engineers and that requires a top quality tyre that can be relied on. Over the years, our engineers have worked tirelessly to ensure that our tyres satisfy all the needs of a series that has become the world’s best.”

Lisa Crampton, General Manager, SRO (promoter of the Cooper Tire British F3 International Series), commented, “Cooper Tire has put a huge amount into a powerful marketing and promotional programme, which has led to the success of British F3 today. Cooper has offered teams and drivers a high level of service and support for the past two years and we look forward to seeing that dedication continue in the years to come.”